Rockford man guilty of home invasion

ROCKFORD - A Rockford man was found guilty Wednesday of home invasion, armed robbery, and other charges, Winnebago County State's Attorney Joe Bruscato said.

Marcell Norris, 26, was found guilty after a jury trial in front of Winnebago County Judge Gary Pumilia.

In addition to the home invasion and armed robbery, Norris also was found guilty of resisting a peace officer and possession of cannabis.

The charges date to April 29 when Rockford police responded to the 2300 block of South Sixth Street where upon arrival they were flagged down by a man who pointed to a woman who said two people had broken into her house through the front door.

Both pointed handguns at her and demanded money. One of the subjects continued to hold a gun to her head, while the other walked about the house, took two laptop computers and both left.

Prior to the home invasion, a neighbor of the victim saw a suspicious black SUV in the alley and called 911. The neighbor observed two subjects get out of the vehicle and approach one of the houses.

A short time later, the two men came running back to the vehicle, got in and left.

A Rockford police officer spotted the vehicle as it was leaving the area and followed it to the 1700 block of Kishwaukee Street where it stopped.

Three occupants fled from the vehicle, and officers chased and caught Norris.